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A very well expressed review, bobblybear! I read The Good Earth, about five years ago - I found O-lan's suffering an echo of so many stories here in India - and realised that there were so many similarities in rural cultures across Asia. One of the bits that sticks in my mind about the The Good Earth is It was so powerful - and expressed in such a matter-of-fact way - that I can't forget it, or her. If you feel like picking up another of Buck's books, may I recommend Peony? It's a lighter, and more personal story - not as much as a saga as The Good Earth, but much more enjoyable.

Hello Dujon, Welcome to the fictional side of the universe To add to Chrissy's suggestions, you could try The Chronicles of Narnia - a series of seven books - some of which are already films. You could also pick up JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit - the film version should be coming by the end of the year.

Completed Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. A wonderful read! Have now picked up Tim Winton's Cloudstreet

My little girl is just over a year and a half - but already knows her mind. She makes me show her each book on the baby-book shelf - will consider it - and then declare an emphatic "No" or a happy "Yes" So I can see her picking her own books in a few years from now! My childhood had lots of stories in it. Almost every night, till I was eight or so, my father or grand-mother would narrate various made-up stories at bed-time - and I was hooked. Discovering that books had stories was the next step. I grew up reading lots of Enid Blytons - the Enchanted Wood, Famous Five, the Mystery and Adventure series, the Malory Towers/St Claire series, The Naughtiest Girl... The Just William books (Richmal Crompton), Tom Sawyer, and Heidi were other favourites. I'm still in love with children/coming-of-age books, and I don't see myself out-growing them. I'm currently making my way through a series of children classics and Newbury titles and am constantly amazed at how uplifting and thought-provoking they can be. I also hope to introduce them to the little one as she grows - but who knows what she'll want to choose! Michelle, I think letting your 8-year old choose her own books sends her the right message - that you trust her choice and are willing to let her explore and discover for herself. And as you've rightly said, there is plenty of time for the other books - the really good ones and the classics will always be around - and its never too late to read them.

Thank you for telling me about the movie chesilbeach - will try and get it - should be a fun watch after the book.

I completed Number the Stars, last night - it was a good read. Have started on Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C O'Brien. I first heard of it when Kell nominated for April's reading circle, and have been wanting to read it ever since.

Hello Diane, my name is Divya Your signature always makes me smile - it is as sweet as it is simple. I've been looking out for Hairy McLairy ever since poppy mentioned it. But haven't found it yet! Hopefully I will soon. I haven't heard of Katie Morag but will look out for this as well.

Hello Bianca (such a pretty name), and welcome

Completed A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett last night. I hadn't read it as a child - and didn't really enjoy it much reading it now. Have started on Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

frankie, sorry I gushed about it so much that it didn't live up to your expectations! But honestly, it's one of favourite books - and I never tire of re-reading it. And I didn't know there was a sequel - but I don't think I'll read it anyway - I like it just where it ended.

I agree. Wonderful site ! I've been reading some of the reviews written by children - and they are eye-opening, and some made me chuckle ~ "I rilly like it.It has some bad language like dammit."

I didn't read Narnia as a child either - I only heard of them after the films Almost everyone I know seems to like The Horse And His Boy the least of the seven, but for some reason its one of my favourites

That's one of my favourite reads. Glad you're enjoying it.

Hello Jackdaw, Welcome to the forum - lovely to read about you. There's a whole section of sci-fi and fantasy here, in case you haven't seen it yet : link And is that deer in your avatar one of your creations? It's beautiful.

I just read Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli and immediately thought of this thread. It's an award-winning YA book which deals with racism - and has a twelve year old homeless boy as its protagonist. A wonderful, uplifting read.

I've completed maverick Maniac Magee - a fantastic read for YA - dealing with racism, prejudice and homelessness. I quite enjoyed it myself. Have picked up A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

I like them too - I guess its because I usually buy old copies of old books. They are, aren't they? I think you'd enjoy Morning Girl, poppy - don't pass it if it comes your way.

Morning Girl Micheal Dorris ★★★★★ First published:1992 Award: Scott O'Dell award for Historical Fiction Synopsis: Set in 1492, in the Bahamas, this Native American tale describes the life of a Taino girl - Morning Girl - and her brother - Star Boy. In alternating chapters each of them describes his/her thoughts on the world inside and around. A tale of family, sibling rivalry, self-discovery and the beauty of living in harmony with nature - a tale from a world which was yet to be discovered by Columbus. Thoughts: Pure poetry. Every page is a joy - full of beauty and wisdom and simplicity and truth. The family of four - the father, mother and the two children - are very real, very likable and wonderfully inspiring in their interactions with each other. Their relationship with Nature is almost spiritual, divine even. A beautiful beautiful book - and without doubt one I will go back to many times. Quotes/Excerpts: "I don't tell this to anyone because they might misunderstand, but I like the aloneness of the early morning. I try to step gently on the path so that the sounds I make will blend into the rustle of the world. Father taught me how to swim on land, careful as a turtle. You'll see more if you're quiet, he told me. Things don't hide or wait for you to pass. And, it's more polite. Another thing: if the day starts before you do, you never catch up. You spend all your time running after what you should have already done, and no matter how much you hurry, you never finish the race in a tie. The day wins." "I don't need sleep anymore" I said. "That's too bad." My mother shook her head and smoothed my hair flat. "How will you dream if you don't sleep? How will you hear yourself?" Names are strange and special gifts. There are names you give to yourself and names to show the world, names that stay for a short while and names that remain forever, names that come from things you do and names that you receive as presents from other people. ... If your name is true, it is who you are I must have slept, because I woke up, and three things were different. The biting bugs had returned, the morning star had appeared in the eastern sky, and my mother had come to sit beside me. She was quiet, waiting, her body a dim shape settled so naturally into itself that until she spoke I couldn't be sure that she was not just my wish. "Tell me what you've learned," she asked, her voice low and like a dream. "At night," I answered in that same whispering tone, "you must be your own friend." My mother took a short breath, and I knew she understood me.

The Black Pearl Scott O'Deal ★★★★ First published :1967 Awards : Newbury Honor - 1967 Author - Hans Christian Anderson winner Synopsis: This YA book is a coming-of-age tale of Ramon Salazar, the sixteen-year old son of a pearl dealer in Baja, California-Mexico. Ramon discovers the 'Pearl of Heaven' - a huge, magnificent, black pearl - and the town is in awe and celebration. Except for two men. The first is Soto Luzon, an old fisherman who believes that the pearl belongs to the Manta Diablo, the lord and monster of the seas - who will wreck havoc till the pearl is returned. And the second is the unscrupulous Gaspar Ruiz - who wants the pearl for himself. Caught between two forces - the wrath of the manta and the greed of Ruiz - Ramon realises that he is the only one who can undo the evil that the pearl has unleashed. Thoughts: A splendid tale of sea, superstition, storm and monster. It's a tiny book - just 96 pages - and it successfully sweeps you into intriguing world. It had me hooked right from the front cover. It was a wonderful read for a rainy afternoon (the monsoons are here) - one can almost feel the sea, and see the shadow of the giant manta ray looming over.

I've had to give up on Birdsong for now, as I had a non-reading two weeks - and currently not in the frame of mind for it. I completed The Black Pearl by Scott O'Deal, Morning Girl by Michael Dorris and Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor - all wonderful wonderful reads. Have just started on Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Mine are: Mister God, This is Anna ~ Fynn The Secret Garden ~ Frances Hodson Burnett Daddy-Long-Legs ~ Jean Webster A Tale of Two Cities ~ Charles Dickens Sounder ~ William H Armstrong Morning Girl ~ Michael Dorris Shiloh ~ Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Hello Hekau, Welcome to the forum! What kind of books do you like reading in your native language? And what are you looking for when you read a book? Something to make you smile, something life-altering, a light read, or something else altogether? Also, what made you choose the books you did? Did someone who knows you recommend them to you, assuming that you'd like them? Do did you just randomly pick them up? I know that loads of questions - but I thought if you could think through them, you may be able to find a book which you enjoy. Also I'd suggest that you borrow books off a library to read instead of buying them - that way you get a whole lot of choices and won't end up have paid for a book you didn't like much. I'm sure you'll soon find what you're looking for!

Hello Ptashka, Six of nineteen books is good! Do feel free to join in on the challenge. And welcome to the forum

I'm fascinated by your rating system. It's inspiring that you go the extra mile to be fair and thorough before passing judgement on a book. And I'm another one who'll be watching this thread with interest...